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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

NASA release

Brian Basset Creates Commemorative Space Shuttle Cartoon

Comic strip artist Brian Basset has created a drawing depicting his characters, Red and Rover, racing alongside the space shuttle as it lands for the final time. After 30 years and more than 130 missions, NASA's space shuttle fleet will retire later this year.

A poster commemorating the shuttle program's 30th anniversary will feature Basset's cartoon and a patch selected as part of a contest among NASA employees to honor the program.

"The U.S. space program has been the one constant throughout my entire life," Basset said. "I was humbled and honored when given the opportunity to create the art for the commemorative Space Shuttle Program 30th anniversary poster."

Basset, a supporter of space exploration, created "Red and Rover" in 2000. A comic strip with a retro feel, it is about the unconditional love between a boy and his dog. The pair often dreams of going to space together. Nominated by the National Cartoonists Society for Best Comic Strip of the Year in 2003 and 2010, "Red and Rover" appears in more than 160 newspapers worldwide and syndicated by Universal Uclick.

In 2004, Basset became the only cartoonist to have his space-themed comic strips displayed at NASA headquarters in Washington. On July 26, 2005, Basset's original drawing commemorating NASA's return to flight after the Columbia accident launched aboard shuttle Discovery on the STS-114 mission.

golddog

Beautiful. And so very sad.

KSCartist

Perfect.

Jake

Awesome......!

hlbjr

Somehow the purity of the love between a boy and his dog parallels perfectly the wonder and awe of spaceflight. Great posters by a great artist. Red and Rover is one of my favorite strips and I read it everyday.

Blackarrow

Does Rusty Schweickart have an opinion on this?

KSCartist

Why, because the boy has red hair?

golddog

Because Red Rover was his call sign while EVA on Apollo 9.

KSCartist

Thanks, that's something I didn't know.

Jay Chladek

Too bad Stu Roosa isn't around to comment either with HIS red hair.

I saw a printout of it today while doing research at UHCL. It is quite a nice tribute I think and somewhat sums up my feelings for shuttle as well since I was about that age when Columbia first flew. I honestly don't know how I will feel when the fleet is finally retired. But yes, it has indeed been one heck of a ride.

Hart Sastrowardoyo

I'll agree, since I grew up with the space shuttle. As I've noted beforehand, I was in sixth grade when I was enamored with that issue of National Geographic headlined, "When the shuttle finally flies." So much so, I still have that issue from the school. One of these days I may return it.

Robert Pearlman

Limited, artist-signed 14 by 18 inch prints of this tribute poster are now available from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's The Space Shop.